Over one year ago in May 2014, there were protests and scuffles at the bail hearing of the Khayelitsha pastor accused of rape. The pastor’s trial was again postponed on 11 June 2015.
11 June 2015
A trial of a Khayelitsha pastor accused of rape was postponed in the Khayelitsha Regional court on Thursday. Pastor Themba Dumisani Mathibela, also known as TD, is facing seven counts of rape.
The 37-year-old married pastor of Living Word Tabernacle is accused of raping two women in his congregation, aged 19 and 23.
He was arrested last year after one of the women recorded him threatening her after she refused to sleep with him.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. He said he was having affairs with both women. One of the women claims she fell pregnant and was forced by Mathibela to give the child up for adoption. Both women have said they were scared to speak out because Mathibela had threatened them.
On Thursday, Mathibela, who is out on R5,000 bail, briefly appeared in court. The state asked for a postponement, saying both complainants were not available. One is writing exams, while the other is in the Eastern Cape taking care of her sick mother. Mathibela was escorted in and out of court by four body guards, one covering his face.
The case is postponed until 8 July. The state will first consult both complainants before another trial date is set.